Recycling Services

Montrose Recycles LogoSingle-Stream Curbside Recycling

Single-stream recycling service is provided, without additional cost, to the city's residential trash collection customers. 

Recycling Guide Opens in new window

Since the program's beginning, participants have recycled thousands of tons of metals, plastics, paper, and cardboard, yielding significant savings in energy and natural resources. 

How the Program Works

The recycling program is “single-stream”, meaning that all recyclables are placed in a single 90-gallon can that the city provides to each residential customer. The Single-Stream Recycling Guide and Calendar provides additional details about the program.

Preparing Recyclables

Contamination reduces the value of recyclables and increases the quantity of materials that end up in the landfill. Please follow these simple rules:

  • Place only approved recyclables in your can. 
  • Empty and rinse containers.
  • Remove and discard all plastic caps, lids, and pumps. It is not necessary to remove labels from containers.
  • Remove plastic liners from cereal boxes and other non-paper items from paper materials and discard them in the trash.
  • Place materials directly into can rather than “nesting” recyclables or placing them in boxes or bags.

Contact Us

  1. Trash and Recycling Services


    Email

    1221 64.50 Road
    P.O. Box 790
    Montrose, CO 81402

    Ph: 970-240-1480
    Fx: 970-240-1483

    Hours


    Monday - Thursday
    7 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Collection Schedule and Holidays Interruptions

Place cans no later than 6 a.m. on your collection day. A $35 fee is charged for ‘go back’ requests from customers who fail to have their recycling receptacle placed in time for collection and drivers may not be able to return until the next collection day. 

Recycling containers are emptied once every two weeks according to the recycling calendar. Recycling collections and trash collections occur on different schedules. See the Trash Services page for trash collection instructions and schedules.

Recycling Cart Sticker WebGreen Recycling CanBlue Recycling CanBlue cans are emptied on blue weeks and green cans on green weeks, unless notified otherwise by city personnel. A sticker on the top of the can shows the day of the week that it will be emptied.

Collections that fall on a city-observed holiday shift to Friday of the same week.

Placing the Recycling Can

On your designated collection day, please place the recycling can in the location that is used for trash pickup. Keep cans at least four feet away from obstructing objects. All recyclable items must be placed in the 90-gallon recycling can. The city will not collect other containers or items placed next to the can.

Recycling cans should be removed from the collection area after they are emptied and placed in a storage area that is clear of alleys or sidewalks.

Only the 90-gallon collection carts supplied by the city will be emptied.  Please do not over-fill carts and do not place additional items on top of or alongside the container.
Calendar

Items to Place in the Recycling Can

PlasticsPlastics – #1-5 & 7 Remove lids & caps and rinse.

Paper examplesPaper – Newspaper, junk mail, magazines, office paper, telephone books, etc. Remove plastic.

Cardboard and paperboard – Remove plastic parts and flatten. Do not include items contaminated with oil or food residue. Paperboard containers with wax or plastic coatings (e.g. milk and juice containers) are recyclable.

MetalMetals – Aluminum and tin/steel cans, metal caps and lids, etc. Empty cans and rinse out food residue.

Red CircleUnacceptable Items

GlassGlass

Plastic bags, caps, and lids

Plastic BagsPlastic items with no recycling symbol

Hardbound books, shredded paper, and paper scraps less than 4” X 4”

Styrofoam#6 plastics (styrofoam cups, packaging, and peanuts)

Batteries, appliances, and electronic waste

Contaminated (dirty) recyclables

Liquids of any kind

Green wasteWhen in doubt

Expanded Recycling Services


City residential trash customers can recycle televisions and monitors, fluorescent tube lamps and CFLs, and used tires at the Public Works facility (1221 6450 Rd), Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Disposal fees are charged as shown below and customers are required to call ahead for an appointment (970-240-1480) to drop off materials. No unscheduled drop-offs are allowed.

These recycling services are provided without charge as a courtesy to City of Montrose residential trash customers only. Prior to unloading any materials, customers must check in at the Public Works reception desk and present a current Colorado driver’s license and a copy of their recent city utility bill.

 

Electronic Waste:

 
  • Televisions/Monitors - $30.00 ea.
  • Only electronics with glass screens

Used Tires:

 
  • Tires (under 18”) $4.50 each
  • Tires (over 18”) $9.00 each
  • Tires mounted on rims are not accepted.

Lightbulbs (fluorescent) :

 
  • $4.00 each

Green Waste


As of January 1, 2021, the City of Montrose no longer accepts green waste. The labor costs associated with processing green waste were not sustainable for long-term fiscal stewardship. In addition, measures taken to prevent abuse of the program were ineffective, leading to complications and added costs for Public Works.

Alternatively, residents can participate in the City of Montrose’s annual leaf collection and spring clean-up or can dispose of green waste at Waste Management. City of Montrose utility customers may also contact Public Works at 970-240-1480 to schedule special pickups for a small fee.

Additional Recycling Options


The City of Montrose Recycling Guide provides a listing of area businesses and organizations that provide recycling services for a wide variety of materials including automotive fluids, electronics, batteries, textiles, and other materials that are not included in the city's Single-Stream Recycling program. See the Special Waste Disposal page for helpful information about disposing of electronic waste (e-waste), household hazardous waste, paint, and green waste.